It's become clear to me through posts and PMs that there are some gardeners here just waiting for the chance to discuss gardening!
So, I was thinking... how do you use gardening, or how does it affect you if you need a break, need some respite, need to relax, need inspiration....how do you use it as a therapy tool in caregiving?
What are your activities: Do you go out and pull weeds, read a magazine, design new beds? Look through garden catalogues? Go to garden stores?
And what interests have you added to your gardening? Visit estate or garden displays? Do you go to garden shows?
Does anyone design and plant Knot Gardens? Raised bed planters? Assistive gardens? Pollinator gardens (and have you thought of ways to help the bees and butterflies?)
Are your gardens primarily for pleasure or food, or a mix of both? Do you grow plants for medicinal purposes? Which ones, how do you harvest and process them? Any suggestions?
Do you grow plants that can be used in crafts, such as grapevines for wreaths and lavender for lavender wands? Do you make herbal products such as creams, lotions, chapstick?
What else can you share about gardening and the means in which it nurtures your soul?
Scary about your friend's bro
I just found out, a friend of mine brother is in Albany med, in ICU, they are checking for all bug diseases, right now they got him in isolation.
Bug spray is good. I'm glad hubs is being cautious. I told R about how sick he got. Also glad the deal with the step daughter is working out.
It looks like the 4 brothers are selling it to my step daughter, for a very good price, if it works out! I'm happy for everyone, she has had her share of emotional issues, but seems to have worked through them. 🤞
Daisy - oh I am so happy to be away from the Fort Mc bugs! Rain I like but not cellar flooding. I had lots of that up north. It's the pits! That's too bad about your friend but good they went to the doctor,
R broke out in rashes on his hands, wrists and forearms and ears and neck. The wildfire smoke was bad today. He used to get a rash on his neck up north when ever he visited a certain one of the plants. But, of course I was thinking of ticks as he first had what appeared to be one bite that wa painful yesterday..However today it spread to both hands and more
I think we have it figured out as air pollution as it only affects the exposed skin. He wears long sleeves rolled up to his forearms. This was the worst it has ever been.
I gave him an antihistamine and cortisone cream which seemed to help and found some respirator masks as he has a bit of a cough. Being outside most days for hours he has lots of exposure too much I think.As you get older your body doesn't deal as well with such things.
The weather is really not getting to me at all, but I'm sure some are really getting depressed. Water in people cellar, that never get water.
So many kinds of Jasmine. One plant that has survived is an Australian Jasmine.
I think the Jasmine smell can help make you sleepy.
Easihold; mulch glue, etc. all available at Lowes and Home Depot stores.
I googled "Easihold".
You are right Cwillie, some prices are prohibitive. Especially from the rock quarry specialty stores. Think: $32.00 to $300 + ouch.
A little part glued down may be all that is needed, if you have a row of pebbles next to the driveway, and don't want the pebbles to spread onto the driveway.
Still looking.
My neighbor was against the Jasmine, saying she could not stand the smell.
The neighbor factor has frequently interfered with my garden plans.
Then, they move and the new owner's requirements are different.
Keep in mind that these are quirky neighbors who won't listen to reason.
Spending extra time, money and effort for a pathway made of pavers surrounded by gravel may be what I would like.
There is something like a liquid glue that settles and secures the pebbles so they don't get kicked around.
Has anyone had success with that, comes in a spray?
The Cape Honeysuckle and Bouganvilla are thriving.
That is all we can do for now.
Grateful.
I didn't put in foxgloves this year and only about two volunteers. I will miss them. I just don't do much on my knees digging anymore. Just control the lush growth that comes all on it's own. As I LOVE control, it works for me! Sorry to hear about the loss of your neighbor, so young.
way - awesome - small leaf vac sound so useful. Yeah so good for the spirit but...
daisy - that's lovely!!!
alva - your garden sounds amazing - a riot of colour! Sounds kike you are doind OK with radiation therapy.
Here finally we have some rain which the farmers need, My treat are the large flowering trees on the property - we have three if them just to the right and the left. Just below us is a small mountain ash which will be nice when it grows a bit bigger.and blooms. The field will soon turn green, R has a couple of flowering trees at the farm too. I want to plant some perennials there -delphiniums for one, and some shrub roses.
My elderly neighbor has a small handheld leaf vacuum . I saw him using it to suck up the fuzzy seeds too.
cw -thank you -I had forgotten about dog tooth violets. Do you get dutchman's breeches there? Ontario wild flowers are great. I love trilliums too. What a wonderful day you had!!!
send -take care and pace yourself, Good for hubby to be weeding.
R is building garden beds out at the farm. He has plans for beets, carrots, spinach and I'm not sure what else. He doesn't think there is a good location for tomatoes - too many trees around so not enough sun.and there are a couple of resident cotton tails which could play havoc with everything. 🐇🐇
A very fun day!
It's even better when you can name the flowers and ducks!
One day can be worth a week in bed if I'm not careful.
This body cannot be commanded to work like I wanted to.
I am grateful for any times that I can spend outside.
It was a beautiful sun shiny day today, but a gout flare-up
kept me in bed.
And hubs...paying for chiropractic care recently. Has no one noticed this happens after stopping daily exercise in December? His new health insurance did not have AARP Silver Sneakers benefit, and he lost his favorite exercise coach back then.
However, he is pulling weeds in the spring garden and along the driveway. I had to stop him when he is pulling the neighbor's weeds too, like he always does. I don't know what they will do for weeding, but this Spring he is out as a free answer.